It used undercover police officers who carried out test purchases with dealers, as well as intensive surveillance and telecommunications analysis to map a number of criminal gangs bringing drugs from Liverpool and Manchester into Macclesfield and their hierarchies.

Police have been trying to tackle that supply route for many years with impressive results. But to their frustration it is a perpetual pattern: as soon as one criminal gang is cracked, another takes it place.

In 2013 Operation Dizi culminated in 70 arrests and 28 convictions totalling 33 years in prison. Operation Dresden in 2014 resulted in 34 more convictions totalling 27 years in prison and around £800,000 worth of drugs taken off the streets.

Officers are briefed on the morning of the raids

Then in 2015 a next ‘generation’ of dealers found new ways of pedalling narcotics by running mobile operations from cars. This was cracked by Operation Toadstool using the Eastern Area Crime Car team to intercept them.

Alzira was a year-long operation which concluded last September when 200 police officers launched a series of raids at addresses in Macclesfield, and other locations in Cheshire, Manchester and Liverpool. It resulted in 20 arrests, including Thomas Flangan and his gang.

Work continues to crack the criminal gangs still operating in the town.

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Detective Sergeant Gavin Day said: “Our work does not end here and the war on illegal drugs will continue. I want to reassure residents that we will continue to identify, locate and disrupt those involved in this sort of activity.

“We can only do this with the continued support of local people. Information from the public is vital in our fight against drug-related crime and can make a big difference.

“I would urge anyone with any information about drug related activity in their area to come forward.

“You can speak to a local neighbourhood officer, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”